Entries by Angela Gary

Everyone knows the things I am thankful for. I don’t wait until November, the month of giving thanks, to share what I’m thankful for.
I’m always writiing about, and talking about to my friends, the things I am thankful for. Everyone knows how important my faith, family and friends are to me.
What about the “little things.” The things that may seem “little” but are actually huge and brighten my day.
Topping that list is chicken and dumplings from Kay’s Vintage Pantry. I can walk over from my office and get a container of the piping hot dumplings and my day is complete. I’m not alone as there is usually a line of people waiting for their dumplings.
Another of those “little” things that is actually pretty big to me is sweet tea. I love sweet tea. It is my absolute favorite drink and no one makes it better than my Mama. While other people are talking about how great coffee is, I’m reaching for my sweet tea. It’s the first thing I drink when I get up and the last thing each day. I know I shouldn’t drink that much sweet tea but that’s a column for another day.
I am also very thankful for cats and dogs. Not just my cats and dogs but any that I come into contact with, even the office cat that bites me and scratches me. I still smile at him and talk to him. In fact, I talk to every cat and dog I come into contact with.
A warm soft blanket. I really do have a lot of blankets. I can’t help but getting a new one when I find an especially soft blanket. Nothing is better than when you first get it out of the dryer and curl up with it.
A good book makes me pretty happy too. I’m thankful for all of those authors who come up with these stories that make me think, make me laugh and even make me cry. A book can take you away to a place that you will never actually go and make you feel like you have been there.
I’m thankful that I still have column ideas even after 32 years of writing a column. I’m thankful for all of the strangers I come across who smile and tell me how much they love something I have written.
I’m thankful for the changing of the seasons we have in Georgia. I love them all. The long sunny days of the summer, the crisp air in the fall when I get out my favorite boots, the flowers blooming in the spring and the occasional snow we get in the winter time.
This Thanksgiving season, many people are taking time to reflect on all that they are thankful for. Let’s all try to do that year-round. Each day, take time to count your many blessings and be thankful for the life you are living. Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers. She can be reached at Angie@mainstreetnews.com.

The Banks County Sheriff’s Office is offering Deputy-Grams as a fundraiser for the Christmas program that provides gifts to area children.
A Deputy-Gram is the Banks County Sheriff’s Office’s version of a “singing telegram.”
The Deputy-Gram consists of School Resource Officer / Deputy Josh White approaching the recipient, by full surprise (in uniform), and singing the first verse and chorus of “Can’t take my eyes off of you” by Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons.
The Deputy-Gram will be recorded and posted to Facebook.
“This will be an unusual gift to send your spouse, sibling, friend, child, boss, or anyone you want to embarrass,” organizers state.
To send a Deputy-Gram, a donation of $200 or more would be greatly appreciated, organizers state. This will send a Deputy-Gram to the person of your choice.
All of the proceeds will go to fund the annual “Shop with a Hero” and “JR Deputy” programs.
If you would like to send a “DEPUTY-GRAM” to someone, visit the Banks County Sheriff’s Office or check out the website at www.bankscountysheriff.org.

Homer Mayor Doug Cheek said water at the Evans Street location did not test well at its first sampling.
He said engineering consultants told the city the water “had set there so long, it’s like stagnant water.
He explained water would be run through onto the ground and sampled every two weeks. He said the consultants said most wells – more than 50 percent of those tested – end up being useful. “That’s certainly what we’re hoping,” he said.
The first samples of water were the wrong color and had too much grit in it, he said.
The “recharge” rate was 84 gallons per minute, which probably would be an adequate rate.
After the water was being pumped continuously, he said the first samples were taken the week of Nov. 6-10.
Cheek made the report at the city council meeting last week.
The city took an option on 28 acres of property on Evans Street in Homer in May for a potential second well for the city’s water service.
The city agreed to pay $125,000 for the property if water quality and rate tests are adequate. The property is on the tax roll in Banks County for $86,921, according to the property assessor’s website.
The council has been looking for a second source of water for nearly two years.
CHIMNEY OAKS
The Homer City Council also agreed to provide billing services for a home in the Chimney Oak subdivision for Banks County Golf, the development company.
The city will combine the water and sewer service costs on the bill and the company will reimburse the city when the costs are known.
Council members and representatives of the golf company discussed a flat fee for each bill and a percentage of the bill.
Sarah Pritchard, the chief operating officer and general counsel for the company, said the two parties could agree on a flat fee and a percentage and the company would pay whichever is higher. She said when a certain number of houses are sold, the percentage fee would be more money to the city.
Developer representatives assured council members they do not expect the city to do the work at a loss.
The development company has sold its first house and has an agreement with the city that it will provide water service to the area when the houses are sold. The development company has its own septic sewage system on the site.
The city anticipates getting a new software system that will do the billing by the first of the year, Carol Ayers, the city clerk, said.
Pritchard said the firm would pay for any “add on” costs the city incurred because of doing the extra billing.
She said the company expects financial arrangements to allow the developer and the city “to get what they need.”
Cheek noted the cost would be minimal when it first starts. When, or if, the company sells a number of houses, “then it’s going to be a big deal,” he said.
Pritchard told the council the closing for the first house is expected within 30 days. Four or five other houses are under construction, three have framing and siding and three lots have been grading.
She said the company’s “goal” is to have three or four closings per month.
The council also agreed to road name changes in Phase 3B for the golf community development.
Pritchard said the state regulators approved the changes and the company was just updating the council.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council also:
•approved changes to it animal control ordinance so the city and county regulations will be the same. That will allow the county animal control office to enforce the city’s ordinance. A woman complained in October that dogs have been running loose near the Golden Pantry in Homer.
•approved a setback for Shane Turner, who said he plans to build a car shed out from his house that won’t meet the setback and a workshop building. He said the lot at 154 Mulberry Street already has structures on it that don’t meet the setbacks.
•discussed a question from council member James McLendon about the “roundabout” at the intersection of Historic Homer Highway and Athens and Evans streets. Council members agreed action from the state may or may not happen. “Traffic has just gotten horrendous,” McClendon said. Cheek noted he has seen three or four versions of a roundabout and doesn’t know if any has been approved. One version was reported on in March 2016 in the Banks County News.

I remember our first Halloween. I was dressed as Lois Lane and he was in a tiny Superman costume. Those days of matching Halloween costumes are behind us now.
Another great memory is the time I talked him into going to tea with me and dressing in our formal attire. He still fusses about that one.
All of the wonderful chorus concerts and trips, including when he was the Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz” and the honors the students brought home from a competition in Orlando. Another chorus highlight was watching the kids sing on the stage at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City.
These are just a few of the memories I reflected on this past weekend as we celebrated my nephew, Jake’s 16th birthday. It’s so hard to believe he is 16!
As a columnist, I have been sharing my “Jake” stories since he was born and many readers ask about him. I can’t count the times strangers have approached me in stores to ask about Jake.
One lady recently told me she has “watched” him grow up through my columns. I think my family stories resonate with people so much because it reminds them of their own family experiences.
The cliche that they grow up in the blink of an eye is so true! This is why I try to plan so many adventures and experiences with my nephews. I know I treasure those memories and I hope that Jake and Grayson, my youngest nephew, will too.
We celebrated Jake’s 16th birthday with a family dinner with my parents. Mom, who Jake calls “Nanny,” made all of his favorites, including homemade vegetable soup and red velvet cake. He also had a party with a few friends he has grown up with over the years, sharing birthdays and other special events.
In addition to Jake’s milestone birthday, we also recently celebrated a milestone for Grayson. He turned 10 in October. I think of that as a milestone because he is now officially in “double digits.”
I have many wonderful memories of Grayson too. He still dresses up with me on Halloween and we were two characters from “Gravity Falls” this year. He had planned to dress up as “Dipper.” I wasn’t familiar with the television show and didn’t know what to dress up as. I planned to just go watch him trick-or-treat. I couldn’t do that as I probably only have a few more years of him agreeing to matching costumes.
I didn’t tell Grayson but I came up with a costume to be Mabel, Dipper’s sister. I showed up on Halloween in my Mabel costme and I will always remember the look on Grayson’s face. It’s a memory I will treasure. I hope he will too.

Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at Angie@mainstreetnews.com.

The top agriculture leaders were recognized Monday night in Banks County.
The fifth annual Banks County Agriculture Awards program was held at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Lula.
Award recipients were: Daphne Crumley, Agribusiness of the Year; and Pat Whitlock, Woman in Agriculture; Ricky Martin, Farmer of the Year.
Ralph Dalton received the Hall of Fame Award.
Banks County extension agent Bob Waldorf was recognized on his retirement. He has served the county for 13 years.
“It’s been a joy to come out to your farms and visit with you and, maybe, help a little,” Waldorf said.
Caroline Lewallen, Jaemor Farms agritourism and marketing coordinator, was the guest speaker.
“We love what we do,” she said. “We are glad to be in this community.”
She spoke on farmers engaging with consumers and being transparent in what is grown.
Others on the program were: Sammy Reeece, Farm Bureau director and county commissioner, welcome and acknowledgements; Ann Gordon and Jerry Gordon, invocation and pledge; and Tim Harper, closing remarks and presentation of door prizes.
The door prizes were donated by Jaemor Farms, Banks County Farm Bureau, AgGeorgia Farm Credit and Northeast Georgia Bank.

An Alto man was arrested after a neighbor found him asleep in his home.
A woman said that she returned home and found the man, who lives in a trailer behind her, asleep on a mattress. He said his two small children were also sleeping on the mattress. An adult was also asleep in the home.
Thomas Lee Gannon, 29, 106 Cedar Drive, Alto, was charged with burglary, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a drug-related object (digital scales).
The deputy woke Gannon up and questioned him, noting in the report that the man only mumbled and could not state the address of where he was.

For more crime coverage, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.

The Banks County E-9-1-1 Center is again coordinating the Santa Shoebox for Seniors efforts.
Items that are donated will be placed in wrapped shoe boxes. Items needed include: small throw blanket, calendars, socks, slippers, nail clippers, brush, comb, mirror, magazines, games, books, lotions, scented soaps, handkerchiefs and flashlights. Those who donate are asked not to include candy or razors.
The shoeboxes are delivered to two nursing homes, the senior citizen’s center and elders in the community who are in need.
Drop off locations are: Banks County Sheriff’s Office, Banks County Public Library, Banks County Recreation Department, Homer City Hall, Banks County Fire/EMS Administration Office and Banks County Courthouse.

Hannah Mullins is the top choice by the Banks County Board of Commissioners for the economic developer position.
The BOC announced on Monday that she is the top finalist. An official vote has not yet been taken to hire her. The procedure for filling a position such as this is to announce up to three finalists and then take an official vote within the next 14 days.
Mullins has served as executive director of the Washington-Wilkes Development Authority and executive director of the Candler County Industrial Authority in Metter. She has also served as real estate manager of M&M Contracting of Jasper and worked with business development for the Barnett Southern Corporation in Washington.
Mullins has a bachelor’s degree in business administration in management from Kennesaw State University and a master of arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Hanna Mullins is the top choice by the Banks County Board of Commissioners for the economic developer position.
The BOC announced on Monday that she is the top finalist. An official vote has not yet been taken to hire her. The procedure for filling a position such as this is to announce up to three finalists and then take an official vote within the next 14 days.
Mullins has served as executive director of the Washington-Wilkes Development Authority and executive director of the Candler County Industrial Authority in Metter. She has also served as real estate manager of M&M Contracting of Jasper and worked with business development for the Barnett Southern Corporation in Washington.
Mullins has a bachelor’s degree in business administration in management from Kennesaw State University and a master of arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Banks County will once again be celebrating the presenting of awards at the annual Banks County Agriculture Awards Banquet on November 13 at 7 p.m.
The event will be held at Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Banks County located at 2405 Hwy 52, Lula.
Awards being presented are: Farmer of the Year, Woman in Agriculture, Agribusiness of the Year and Hall of Fame.
Host Sponsors are: Banks County Farm Bureau, Banks County Chamber CVB and Banks County Extension.
Farm-City Week will be celebrated along with the rich history of agriculture and farming in Banks County and Georgia by a guest speaker.
A dinner will be served. RSVP to: Banks County Extension Office at 706-677-6230 or by email – uge1011@uga.edu or Banks County Farm Bureau office at 706-677-2215 or by email – jajackson@gfb.org no later than November 6.